1. Use of Wikis for Student Lab Reports
Presentation
by Jo Ann Noble
Chemistry Teacher
Shaler Area High School
Script: “Use of Wiki Pages for Student Lab Reports” presented by Jo Ann Noble a chemistry teacher at Shaler Area High School in PA.
Left Image:
Right Image:

2. Presentation Outline Slide I: What is a Wiki page?
Slide II: What are the Advantages of Wiki Pages?
Slide III: Example of a Lab Wiki Template
Slide IV: Example of a Completed Lab Wiki Page
Slides V-VI: Steps for Creating Wiki Page Template
Script: In this presentation the following topics will be discussed. First of all, what is a wiki page and what are the advantages of using wiki pages in the
classroom? Next, examples of a lab wiki template and a completed lab wiki page will be illustrated followed by directions on how to create a lab wiki template.
Image:

3. What is a Wiki page?
Wiki is a piece of server software that allows users to freely create and edit Web page content.
Supports hyperlinks and cross links between internal pages
A single page in a wiki website is referred to as a "wiki page", while the entire collection of pages, which are usually well interconnected by hyperlinks, is "the wiki".
Video Clip: “Wikis in Plain English”
Script: Let’s start by answering the question “What is a Wiki Page? A wiki page is a website that allows for the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked webpages. It invites all users to edit any page or to create new pages within the wiki Web site. Wikis may exist to serve a specific purpose, and in such cases, users use their editorial rights to remove material that is considered "off topic." Let’s view a short introduction to wikis which illustrates how wikis can be used to organize a group's information using a camping trip as an example.
Image:

4. What are the Advantages of Wiki Pages?
Student Collaboration
Development of Higher Level Critical Thinking Skills
Development of Investigative Skills
Promotes Effective Teamwork.
Development of a Classroom Community
Script: So what are the advantages of using wiki pages in the classroom?. First, collaboration between allows students to learn from one another – both in terms of viewing each other’s content but also by seeing the quality of other students’ work. Seeing other students’ work on a continuous basis can cause a student to evaluate his or her own work and see how it compares in quality. The comparison may cause the student to raise his or her work to a higher level. Second, students tend to develop higher level critical thinking skills by critiquing other students’ work and by learning to defend their own views when critiqued by other students. Third, when students working collaboratively on one document it encourages each student to do more investigative work. When one’s information is critiqued as incorrect or inadequate, the student is likely to do additional research to respond to the critiques. Fourth, when students work collaboratively on a wiki they must create and agree on the structures, forms, and methods that are necessary to accomplish their collaborative task. When students negotiation the use of space it leads to a better understanding of the social processes that underlie any collaborative activity. And finally, when students work collaboratively on a wiki class members get the opportunity meet one another which promotes the sense of having a classroom community.
Image:

5. Example of Lab Wiki Template
Script: Now let’s take a look at an example of a lab wiki template which I created in Blackboard to be used in my Chemistry classes. This is a blank template which provides the major sections in a student’s completed lab report. Which sections of a lab report you choose to include can be decided by you when creating your own template. Templates can be designed as either a standard template which could be used for all experiments or you can create new templates for each specific experiment. I’ve chosen to create specific templates for each individual experiment as indicated in my example, so that I may include a different data table for each experiment. Now let’s take a look at what a partially completed lab wiki might look like.
Image:

6. Example of Completed Lab Wiki
Script: In this partially completed lab wiki, the pre-lab sections have been completed along with the data in the data table. Students can complete the lab wiki template by using different color font which allows the teacher to know which student contributed what information. The students will continue to complete the lab wiki collaboratively by reading and editing each others’ information. The students must agree upon their final edit prior to submitting the wiki for a grade.
Image:

7. Steps for Creating A Wiki Page Template
Step 1: Go to
In the menu on the left, click on
Blackboard
Step 2: Enter your username and password
Script: Let’s now take a look at the steps for creating a wiki page template. One first has access the Blackboard website by going to the Shaler Area School District homepage and clicking on Blackboard in the menu on the left hand side of the screen. Next, one must login to the site by entering their username and password. At the top of the page click on the tab “Classes”. A new window will appear listing the classes which you teach. Select the class in which you would like to create a lab wiki template.
Top Image:
Middle Image:
Bottom Image:
Step 3: Click on Classes tab and select the
class from the class list window

8. Step 4: In the classroom management menu, click on Class Tools
Step 5: Scroll down to
the bottom and
click on Wikis
Script: On the homepage of your selected class you will see a menu at the bottom left of the screen titled “classroom management”. If necessary, click on the drop down menu of the control panel. Click on “class tools”. A drop down menu will appear. Scroll down to the very bottom and click wikis. A new window called “Wikis” will appear. Click on “create wiki”. A new page called “Create Wiki Page” will appear where you can begin to add content to your template. Once you are finished click the “submit” button at the lower right corner of the page.
Top and Middle Images:
Middle Image:
Bottom Image:
Step 6: Click on Create Wiki
to add content.
Step 7: Click on Submit at the
bottom right corner when
finished.

9. Resources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiki
Resource 4
Resource 5
Instructions: List at least 5 resources you intend to use in writing your presentation. Use APA reference format. Provide links to any resources that exist online. Note, you may add additional resources later.
Sldeshow outline

10. Websites http://www.commoncraft.com/video-wikis-plain-english
Instructions: List any websites or resources that you would like to share with your viewers

11. Images http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:P_wiki_letter_w.svg
Disabled:
Man in wheelchair on street:
Headset:

12. Other Instructions/ Recommendations
Use images on each slide
Do not use a busy background. Make it easy for your viewers to read any text or images on your slides
Follow the presentation guidelines shared in this audio/video presentation: "Avoiding Death by PowerPoint."
Disabled:
Man in wheelchair on street:
Headset:
Note: Remove this slide from the presentation
Sldeshow outline